Transfer Centre

Benfica manager expecting Enzo Fernandez stay amid fresh Chelsea links

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 25 January 2023

Benfica manager expecting Fernandez stay amid fresh Chelsea links

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt reiterates his belief that Enzo Fernandez will stay at the club, despite reports of Chelsea reigniting their interest in the midfielder.

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has reiterated his belief that Enzo Fernandez will stay at the club, despite claims that Chelsea are reigniting their pursuit of the Argentine.

Graham Potter's side relentlessly pursued a deal for the 22-year-old earlier in the window, but they were knocked back by the Primeira Liga giants, who demanded that his €120m (£105.6m) release clause was paid in full.

Chelsea were supposedly prepared to fork out the nine-figure sum, but they clashed with Benfica over the structure of the payment, having wanted to settle the fee in instalments.

As a result, talks broke down, and Schmidt ruled out the possibility of the in-demand South American leaving Benfica before the January transfer window shut.

However, with less than a week left to go before the winter market closes, Chelsea are understood to be reviving their pursuit of Fernandez and believe that a deal can still be struck.

Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring for Benfica on August 5, 2022 © Reuters

The Blues are even alleged to have made a player-plus-cash offer for the former River Plate man, but Benfica are standing firm over the midfielder's release clause.

When questioned on the fresh links with Chelsea, Schmidt remained undeterred and expects Fernandez to continue at the Estadio da Luz for the remainder of the campaign.

"Yes, of course [I'm confident Fernandez stays]. When you see Enzo playing you can tell he's in shape and happy. He's not thinking about anything else," Schmidt told reporters at a press conference. "I'm not expecting to lose any of the starters. I see the players concentrated and I hope this continues."

Fernandez scored one goal and set up one more in seven games during Argentina's run to the World Cup trophy, and his performances saw him named the best young player of the tournament.

Since joining Benfica for a modest fee of €14m (£12.3m) in the summer of 2022, Fernandez has registered four goals and seven assists in 28 games for the Portuguese giants, who have him under contract until 2027.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during draw with Nottingham Forest on January 1, 2023. © Reuters

Chelsea, who could lose N'Golo Kante and Jorginho on free transfers in the summer, have boosted their midfield ranks with the January signing of Andrey Santos, but the 18-year-old will likely be sent out on loan before he is considered for first-team action.

Santos forms a part of a mammoth spending spree for Chelsea, who have also signed Joao Felix on loan alongside the permanent captures of Mykhaylo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile and David Datro Fofana.

With a deal for Fernandez looking unlikely, Chelsea are seeking out alternative options, namely Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo and Everton's Amadou Onana.

The Blues have supposedly already seen one offer for Caicedo rejected, though, with Brighton supposedly demanding £100m to part ways with the Ecuador international.

Meanwhile, Chelsea could face competition from Arsenal to sign Everton's Onana, having already beaten the Gunners to the signings of Felix and Mudryk.